Kingwood Park Times, Jan. 18, 2022

Kingwood Park

TIMES January 2022 Volume 8, Issue 4 Kingwood, Texas 77339

A look back at the last 10 years.

Pages 8-9

UPCOMING EVENTS JAN. 17

By Lexi Guillen

W

MLK Day. No School.

JAN. 18 Military Fair in Commons Noon-1 p.m.

FEB. 3 Winter Band Concert 7:00-8:00 p.m.

FEB. 7-13 February Break

FEB. 24 HOSA Blood Drive 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

MARCH 2 SAT Testing

Theater students advance to nationals

hen senior Sarah Cutrer found out she was not going to be able to make it to theater nationals in 2020 due to COVID-19, she never realized she would get a second chance. When she read the list of who made the national competition this year she didn’t believe it.

“I went for two hours thinking that it was not the real nationals list,” Cutrer said. “Someone actually had to tell me congratulations.”

Cutrer, junior Sara Snyder, and senior Michael Kell were the only three people in the program to make it to theater nationals. Theater nationals will take place in the summer of 2022 at the University SARA SNYDER of Indiana in Bloomington.

“You get a time limit of 5 minutes to do your scene and the judges had to stop us before the time limit so we wouldn’t get disqualified,” Kell said. “I thought we wouldn’t make it since we couldn’t even finish our scene, but apparently what we did was enough for us to get into nationals.”

Kell and Cutrer competed in duet acting with a scene they had done together in the show Almost, Maine.

They had felt comfortable with each other and the scene and practiced for about an hour before competing.

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Seniors Michael Kell and Sarah Cutrer perform a scene from Almost, Maine, which was held in September. The seniors also took their scene to a state competition, scoring high enough to advance to nationals in July. Photo by Katie Gerbasich.

Cutrer said they did breathing exercises like the ones Sharpay and Ryan did in the movie High School Musical before they took the stage. When they found out they advanced, the first people they told were their moms. Kell’s mom sent him a congratulatory bitmoji and Cutrer’s theater teacher, Jami Windham, told her mom before she could. Both of their moms were extremely excited.

“We didn’t get to prepare as much as we like,” Cutrer said. “We were going into it just being there for each other and having fun.”

Snyder competed with two contrasting monologues: “Elsewhere”

by Adam Szymkowicz as the character of Celia and “Philanderer” by George Shaw. She had no experience when it came to theater competitions and only auditioned in front of teachers. Snyder had to schedule a panic attack before per-

forming to help calm herself down.

Snyder was on her way to an 8 a.m. workshop with senior Carey Beal when she found out she won.

Beal teared up with pride and congratulated her. Synder and Beal hugged and cried in celebration and then composed themselves for their workshop.

Now they are taking a break from nationals and focusing on their academics and the upcoming UIL theater performance: “The Girl in the White Pinafore.”

“Nationals is next summer so I am not trying to overthink my monologue. I’m kinda taking a break from it now … I know if I just drill it into my head over and over for months at a time, the meaning is going to get lost for me,” Snyder said. “So I kinda want to preserve that until a month ahead of time and then I’ll start rehearsing again.”

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Cheating remains a concern, despite return of in-person testing Cheating became a big topic last year when teachers had to offer every student a 48-hour window to test at home.

By Kathleen Ortiz While the majority of teachers have gone back to in-person testing, students and teachers alike are still feeling the repercussions of last year’s 48-hour window, athome testing policy.

“That opened the door for every student to cheat in my opinion,” biology teacher Kristen Lynam said. “Kids had the opportunity to test from home and use their notes, so teachers had to get creative on what we were going to do to address it.”

However, Lynam was able to notice patterns such as students who turned their tests in at the exact same time as a classmate or students who missed the exact same questions as a peer.

When testing went back to being done in class this year, many students and teachers hoped cheating would become less of an issue. However, administrators said eradicating cheating is challenging.

“I think there’s always been cheating for years and years and years, whether we were online or whether we were face-to-face and it was paper and pencil,” associate principal Tiffany Major said.

“Some things like patterns may have been easier to tell in virtual, but it’s always been there.”

Lynam said that giving a paper test allows her to monitor the students and make sure their demonstration of learning is accurate. Last year it was more difficult for her to catch cheaters since it was her first time making tests online.

“I didn’t understand how to create multiple versions,” Lynam said.

“Once I figured out how to create the multiple versions it was 10 times more work on the teacher to do that.”

Many AP teachers went that route to keep their students on an even playing field, but the cheating continued.

“I’ll hear conversations among some of the really good hardworking kids that are genuine and they get frustrated,” Lynam said. “It makes me have empathy for them because they worked so hard and see some of their peers just cheat their way through.”

Senior Carey Beal has noticed how much effort some teachers

put in to combat cheating.

“I get that teachers have a lot on their plates,” Beal said. “You can’t cross-examine everything, and English teachers do try with turnitin.com and everything, but in other things like particularly in science you can see ‘wow they both misspelled the same word.’”

Students who are caught cheating receive a Thursday or Saturday class, a zero on their assignment and are kicked out of National Honor Society. However, pass-fail can soften the damage it does to a student’s GPA and rank.

Teachers and students said less obvious forms of cheating remain a problem with the return to in-person learning. Students who routinely miss test days and copy the lab notebooks of older siblings are just two examples.

“We’re told that our grades reflect our hard work and intellect and specifically our rank, so to be told that someone is ranked higher than you who didn’t work as hard is just really detrimental,” Beal said. “Because you’re basically saying you’re not as smart as them, you’re not as hard working as them when those things can’t be measured in the first place.”

Kingwood Park

TIMES January 2022 Volume 8, Issue 4 Kingwood Park HS Kingwood, Texas EDITORS

Kathleen Ortiz, Editor-in-Chief Gabby Norman, Managing Editor Arleigh Doehring, Photo Editor Maya Ortiz, Design Editor

STAFF WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Camille Blair Reece Cavallo Rhian Davis Lexi Guillen Samantha Head Taylor Nethery Sharna Ngo Daniel Spear Shelby Townsend Jacob Valcarce Kennedy Watkins MelieAn William Derriq Young

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Allie Jorgensen Morgen Dozier Katie Gerbasich Ava Sayre Cara Helton Alicyn Logue Cover designed by Maya Ortiz.

Adviser: Megan Ortiz Principal: Wes Solomon

The Kingwood Park Times is a public forum for Kingwood Park High School and is distributed free to all students and staff.

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Esports offers unique opportunity for gamers Class for gamers continues growing as student interest increases.

By Derriq Young

E

sports is a form of electric competitive sports and is quickly gaining popularity. The recently added Esports class was introduced last year and filled up almost immediately. Now with two classes filled to capacity, more students have the opportunity to connect with other gamers and feel free to decompress while improving their skills.

“Well, first of all I don’t have to wake up early and worry about Algebra 3 or whatever so it’s a relief to know that I can start my day easy and it’s surprisingly informational,” senior William Mendez said. “You would think it’s just playing games, which 90% of the time it is, but the rest of the 10% is studying, doing

presentations and projects over various jobs in the field.”

Some have the preconceived idea that Esports is a class only devoted to playing video games and the students don’t get any takeaways from this class, but that’s not the case. Like many other team activities, Esports provides these students the opportunity to come to school and participate in what they enjoy.

“Esports is new so we have to bring in and demonstrate the need for Esports and what it can do for the students in the same way that athletics creates discipline, and actually provides an avenue for students that want to be present,” Esports teacher Tonya Smith said.

As of today, 175 US colleges offer Esports programs and scholarships range from $500 to $8,000 annually, on top of some schools offering fulltuition awards. This class can provide a structure to help gamers build to get a college scholarship as well as

Senior Isaiah Shelby plays Fortnite during a lesson in Esports class fourth period. Photo

by Derriq Young.

providing the opportunities for a lot of career paths.

“There is also a college aspect where there’s scholarship opportunities just like athletes, band and choir, where they can offer you for your talents there,” Smith said. “You can be offered scholarship money as an Esports player.”

As the class continues to grow and the students continue to get closer, they hope to continue to be successful and grow as a team.

“We have each other when we’re in our virtual world,” Smith said. “And here, we have each other in the real world.”

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Aggie Spirit strong in Smoots Jim and Ben Smoot hope to soon follow in their parents’ and siblings’ footsteps in Aggieland.

By Ava Sayre

E

veryone in the world has a story: things they care about, things they love. This, for the Smoot family, is Texas A&M university.

“A&M is the one thing that connects my whole family,” freshman Ben Smoot said.

Ever since the beginning, Cody and Cindy Smoot incorporated A&M into their growing children’s lives. They learned their alphabet from Aggieland-themed books. C was for “Corps of Cadets” or “College Station,” which they would visit every other weekend. More often than not they were dressed up in their A&M attire, matching as a family.

“We have brainwashed our children from the time they were born,” Cindy Smoot said.

Cody and Cindy Smoot met in their senior year of college at Texas A&M. That’s when they decided they wanted A&M to be a part of their lives forever. Teaching their children the traditions they once were taught, A&M played a huge role in their lives. Now with two of their own attending A&M they couldn’t be happier.

Their oldest son, Will Smoot, in his sophomore year at A&M is a walk-on on the football team.

Casey Smoot is a freshman, just beginning her college career at A&M. Both majoring in biomedical science Casey and Will hope to take the path of their mother and work in the medical field.

“It has been a dream come true sharing A&M with our kids,” Cindy said. “We have loved being able to reminisce and share the experiences they are now having.”

During one of the most anticipated football games of the season, the Smoots had sideline seats as Texas A&M upset then-No. 1 Alabama.

The family watched in awe as Seth Small kicked a game-winning 28-yard field goal.

“You can’t describe the feeling of being at an A&M game,” Ben said. “It is pure happiness.”

On Oct. 9, Aggie fans rushed the field, leaving the stands empty as people poured over the sidelines to celebrate the recent victory.

Running through the crowd looking for his brother’s familiar face upon thousands of others, Jim Smoot felt more than overwhelmed when he finally found his brother in the sea of strangers.

“There is no greater feeling than beating

Junior Jim Smoot looks toward the scoreboard while freshman Ben Smoot shouts toward Kyle Field during the Texas A&M-Alabama game on Oct. 9. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

Casey, Will, Jim and Ben show their spirit in their A&M gear during a trip to Texas A&M at Kyle Field in 2011.

Photo submitted by Ben Smoot.

Ben and Jim pose with their brother Will after rushing the field when A&M beat Alabama. Photo submitted by Ben Smoot.

Alabama,” junior Jim Smoot said.

The youngest member of the family is Ben Smoot, known for his humor and tennis skills.

He hopes to follow in his family’s footsteps and attend A&M after high school. Ben wants to take a different route than the rest of his family though. Instead of majoring in biomedical science like his mother, brother and sister, he plans to focus on agriculture.

The next in line to leave for college is Jim Smoot. Jim hopes to attend A&M in the fall of 2023. Jim grew up practicing and learning about all the traditions at A&M, but the one he

cares for the most are the “Corps of Cadets” or the “guardians of tradition” which is something A&M is known for. Jim hopes to major in agriculture business and work with animals.

“Me not going to A&M isn’t an option,” Jim Smoot said.

Everyone in the world has a story: This for the Smoot family starts and continues at Texas A&M university.

“A&M is practically my family’s second home,” Ben said.

FEATURE | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 5

Sophomore’s adoption inspires her to make impact Arrie Shockley uses past experience to help children in foster care.

By Katie Gerbasich

A

fter a six-hour work day in Daytona, Fla., sophomore Arrie Shockley and 15 other exhausted teenagers ran across the street to 7-Eleven. They bought all the snacks they could afford and made their way to the beach in their best clothes for pictures. With the sun setting and waves crashing, they talked about their week helping foster children.

Shockley spent 10 days teaching local foster kids how to swim and leading them in art and play therapy. The trip through her church and HOPE Volunteer Corps seemed designed especially for her. On Dec. 18, Shockley celebrated her adoption anniversary.

“I am so blessed to have been adopted,” Arrie said. “I am so thankful for my family because without them I wouldn’t have been given the opportunities I have had and continue to be given.”

On Jan. 14, 2006, Arrie was born in Seattle, Wash., and immediately placed into foster care. Her birth mother already had three kids and was deemed unfit by the state. Arrie was sent to a long-term foster home with Bill and Michelle Shockley.

“We were ready to start the adoption process immediately but it got complicated,” Michelle said.

The adoption process had to be restarted twice due to complications with Arrie’s birth parents.

“My parents are really patient,” Arrie said. “Especially when you have to go through something where you have to wait three years for a kid and most people only have to wait nine months.”

The complications increased in 2009 when Bill Shockley accepted a job in Texas. They had to move by Dec. 18, but they had no assurance Arrie could move with them.

“We had the whole church praying for us,” Arrie said. “They were about to give up.”

Finally, on Dec. 11, 2009, the

6

Bill, Arrie and Michelle Shockley have lived in Texas together since 2009. They took a family photo in November.

Sophomore Arrie Shockley is held by Bill Shockley as the judge fist bumps her older brother Gabriel Shockley. She was officially adopted Dec. 18, 2009 by Bill and Michelle Shockley. Photos submitted by Arrie Shockley.

Shockley’s got a call saying Arrie’s birth parents had signed away all custody rights. Arrie was officially adopted on Dec. 18. They moved to Texas the next day.

“It was great because I was out of that situation, but it was confusing with that much change,” Arrie said.

She has always known she was adopted. Due to her open adoption, after moving she was still required to see her biological parents once a year. At 5 or 6 her biological dad stopped showing up, but her mom was always there.

“It’s really hard, especially for the kids,” Arrie said. “I remember being very confused about who was actually my mom and my dad because there are four people telling you to call them mom and dad.”

At 13, Arrie had the option to cut

FEATURE | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

all lines of communication with her birth parents.

“My [adoptive] parents didn’t really want me to just because they wanted to keep that communication line open but I felt like that’s what I needed to do to kind of learn about myself and grow up a bit and not be surrounded by that,” Arrie said.

So, Arrie called her birth mom and said they wouldn’t be talking for a while.

“I think it was the best decision to give us space and time for me to focus on my friendships and to just live with my family who takes care of me,” Arrie said.

Michelle has become Arrie’s best friend and someone she looks up to.

“If you’ve ever seen Gilmore Girls, that is our relationship,” Arrie said.

“When we argue, we argue like

sisters. I love her so much.”

She also has a lot of love for Bill Shockley.

“He’s a softie, like such a sweetheart,” Arrie said. “He never fails to make me know that I am worth it.”

After the move to Texas, the Shockley’s would always ask Arrie what she wanted to do and then put her in activities she requested. Swimming was never optional though.

“When it came to swimming lessons I didn’t even ask, I just put her in there because her life was at stake, the little daredevil,” Michelle said.

Arrie instantly fell in love with swimming at 4 years old. She started competitive swimming later on and is on the varsity swim team now.

“It was more of a therapy for me because it came at such a monumental point in my life” Arrie said. “It’s just so much fun. It’s quiet. When you’re under the water it’s just you.”

Shockley wished to spread her passion with others. Being able to teach swim lessons to foster children over the summer was perfect and actually strengthened her love for the sport.

“Seeing the smiles on their faces and the love they have for the water is something you sometimes lose at a 5 a.m. practice every morning,” Arrie said.

She not only taught the kids how to swim and boogie board but also talked to three siblings about starting the adoption process. At their age, they had to make it known they wanted to be adopted. Through Arrie telling her story to the siblings they decided they were ready. “[Their foster dad] came up to me on the last day and was like ‘I want to personally thank you for working with my kids. Now they are talking about wanting to be adopted and I’ve been fostering them since they were young,’” Arrie said. “It was so powerful.”

She hopes to adopt children in the future and let people know that adoption is needed.

“There are people who are 18 and have never had a home and that’s not their fault,” Arrie said.

Sophomores Andrew, John Michael & paraprofessional Kimberly Ward

Sophomore Arleigh Doehring & math teacher Nancy Doehring

Criminal Justice teacher Scarlett May & sophomore Wyatt May

English teacher Michelle Neel & junior Kaitlyn Neel

“The best part is being able to get a hug from my boys any day at Kingwood Park.”

Kimberly Ward

“It’s nice because I always have someone to talk to, and I have a pantry at school.”

Arleigh Doehring

“I get to see him and get to know what’s going on in his life.

It’s made us closer in a way.”

Scarlett May

“Honestly, it’s that whenever I need help with school, I know that I can come to her.”

Kaitlyn Neel

With parents on campus, students adapt “My favorite part is getting to see her every day.

Getting to see her mature and change and make friends -- seeing her evolve is really a joy.”

By Cara Helton

T

ypically teens don’t see their parents a lot during the weekdays. A handful of kids, however, see their parents often throughout the day. While this might be undesirable for some students, others said it is the highlight of their high school years.

“My relationship with my mom is amazing,” senior Kathleen Ortiz said. “I pretty much tell her everything, and our relationship has definitely gotten so much better since I’ve been in high school and in her class.

“She really helped me get involved in this school too. If I hadn’t gotten so involved, my high school career would have been super different.”

Kathleen Ortiz has been in her mom’s journalism classes since she was a freshman. There have been so many shared experiences with them together, from Kathleen winning all-state journalist her sophomore and junior years to accidentally setting off the fire alarm during flex as a freshman.

When it comes to being at school together, Kathleen, her sister Maya Ortiz and their mom enjoy it.

“My kids are really busy so being at school gives us time together,” said journalism teacher Megan Ortiz. “I love getting to watch them from the front row.”

Math teacher Katherine Espinosa also loves seeing her daughter, sophomore Izzy Espinosa in her element at school. Izzy and her mom appreciate the convenience of having each other at school. The most beneficial part for Izzy is that she gets a warm lunch. Katherine Espinosa said riding to school together saves time too.

In addition, there is also a social aspect that goes along with having a parent at school.

“People will come up to me and ask if I’m (Ms. Story’s) son and they’ll be like, ‘I love your mom!’ and I’m like ‘Join the club,’” senior Christian Story said.

Photo by Lexi Guillen.

However, there are some struggles for kids and parents who go to school together. Oftentimes the kids said they feel they are held to a higher standard with their parent on campus. For the parents, it’s a challenge trying to be a teacher and a mom or dad for their kid.

“I try not to invade his personal time because it’s his time, this is his high school,” English teacher Leslie Story said of her son Christian.

Story tries to give her son space at school and room to make his own decisions. She has avoided having him in her class because she didn’t want to put any extra pressure on him.

Even outside of her class there are still moments that can be challenging.

“It’s rough in some patches but we still get through it,” Christian Story said.

While it might be a struggle to be in such close contact with someone you’re related to, Kathleen Ortiz has taken advantage of having her mom at school. Whether she’s having a hard day or needs help, she feels she can always go to her mom for support.

- Coach Andrew Cross on being on campus with his daughter Anaih Cross, a freshman.

“Everyone else might not have that, just a person at school who can cheer them up,” Kathleen Ortiz said.

Story has had a positive experience with her son as well. They tend to joke and mess around with each other. During their morning drive to school they often prepare themselves for the day.

“There’s a lot of positive talk for both him and I, like ‘We can do this, it’ll be fine’ and just those little moments that I get that other parents might not,” Story said.

For both the parents and kids, their high school experiences have been memorable. Ortiz said she thinks the years she spent with her kids in school will be her favorite years teaching.

Kathleen said she will never forget what she’s learned from her mom.

“I’ll remember how she was always supporting me,” Kathleen Ortiz said. “I really got to go to school everyday and learn from the person who inspires me the most.”

FEATURES | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 7

Where’d all the time go? I 2012

Student body: 1642 Staff & faculty: 183

2022

2012

Student body: 1931 Staff & faculty: 214

Price of gas: $3.60 Source: AAA

2022

Price of gas: $ Source: AAA

LOOKIN’ AT YOU,

2012

William Urbanowski

Mattie McDaniel

Selfie Vine Harlem Shake

Aiden Troost

ielson

Kyle Connelly

Caydn Acker

Taylor Swift Tumblr Alex from Target

Tiffany Marshall

Alyssa Montelongo

Asa O’Farrell

“The Dress” Hoverboard 1D splits

2012

1. The Avengers 2. The Dark Knight Rises 3. The Hunger Games 4. Skyfall 5. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 6. The Amazing Spider-Man 7. Brave 8. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 9. Ted 10. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

8

Now

1. Spider-Man: No Way Home 2. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 3. Venom: Let There Be Carnage 4. Black Widow 5. F9: The Fast Saga 6. Eternals 7. No Time to Die 8. A Quiet Place Part II 9. Ghostbusters: Afterlife 10. Free Guy

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Grace Cardenas

“The advice I would give to my 2012 self would be to focus on your goals and don’t let others distract you.”

Zoie Bowman, 12

Meghan Ray

“Stranger Things” Cubs WS Champs Harambe death

Astros WS Champs Fortnite YouTube diss tracks

Mos

Top grossing Movies Source: Box Office Mojo by IMDbPro

“The advice I would give my kindergarten self is to enjoy the year and not be in a rush to grow up.”

Leah Torres, 10

2017

2012

“Gangnam Style” YOLO Justin Bieber

Jane Patton

“Just to not force myself to try and ‘fit into groups that I’m obviously not a part of. Very cliché but I think it decently applies to past me.”

Ryan Royall, 10

Autumn N

2015

Willow Wise

Enrique Guzman

2014

Cody Floyd

Bryce Hogan

2013

Alicyn Logue

What advice w

2016

Ten years ago, sophomores were just starting kindergarten, juniors were first graders and seniors Caleb Stemmans were in second grade.

70% of votes

Do you prefer the best movies of 2012 or today’s top movies?

30% of votes

2012

Now

Polls answered by @kparkmedia followers

2012

1. “Somebody That I Used Gotye ft. Kimbra 2. “Call Me Maybe” Carly 3. “We Are Young” Fun ft.

4. “Payphone” Maroon 5 f 5. “Lights” Ellie Goulding 6. “Glad You Came” The W 7. “Stronger (What Doesn Kelly Clarkson 8. “We Found Love” Riha Harris 9. “Starships” Nicki Minaj 10. “What Makes You Bea Direction

It’s starting to fly.

2012

$2.91

Price of an iPhone 5: $649

2022

2012

Price of an iPhone 13: $829

KIM ACKERMAN, who coaches and teaches Teen Leadership, was teaching at Kingwood Park in 2012.

If she could tell her 2012 self anything, she would tell herself to get ready for a pandemic and teaching online.

“I never thought I would be teaching or coaching this long,” Ackerman said. “I love it though.”

“I would tell my 2012 self to not stress over trying to be perfect.

Leaves will fall where they may, do your best but don’t overdo it. That being said, definitely stay in Girl Scouts through high school and earn the Gold Award because it is prestigious and will help later in life.”

Ariel Zolton, 12 Zoom TikTok Among Us

Pop Its “Squid Game” Olivia Rodrigo

2021

Hydroflasks Birkenstocks Area 51

2019

2018

Tide Pods Yodeling Kid IHOB

JEFF WILSON was teaching auto collision repair and refinishing in 2012 and he still teaches that now.

He says the relationships he’s created in the industry during the past 10 years have helped him to teach his students what they need to be employable.

“I wouldn’t have chosen a different career for anything,” Wilson said. “My degree wasn’t even in education, but here I am 30 years later, a teacher. I love what I do.”

“Advice I would give my 2012 self is love who you are. Self love is very important to have as you grow mentally and physically, and you’ll realize that when you’re older.”

Autumn Nielsen, 11

2020

“Advice I would give my 2012 self would be to cherish my grandma and her side of the family because you never know when they can be taken away.”

Breauna White, 11

st Popular Music Source: Billboard

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Rae Jepsen . Janelle Monáe ft. Wiz Khalifa

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anna ft. Calvin

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Now

1. “Levitating” Dua Lipa 2. “Save your Tears” The Weeknd & Ariana Grande 3. “Blinding Lights” The Weeknd 4. “Mood” 24kGoldn ft. iann dior 5. “Good 4 U” Olivia Rodrigo 6. “Kiss Me More” Doja Cat ft. SZA 7. “Leave the Door Open” Silk Sonic 8. “Drivers License” Olivia Rodrigo 9. “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” Lil Nas X 10. “Peaches” Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon

74% of votes

Do you prefer the best music of 2012 or today’s top songs?

26% of votes

2012

Now

2022

Price of a year at the University of Texas: $11,448

Ten years later, teachers reflect on changes

would you give your 2012 self?

“I would tell my 2012 self to stay focused, and that everything is going to be alright.”

Sean Bunford, 12

Price of a year at the University of Texas: $9,792

Soccer coach JESS WHITE has taught seven different history classes in his more than 10 years at Kingwood Park. Now he teaches World History, AP Government and coaches soccer. When he arrived at Kingwood Park his kids were one and seven years old. Now, one is a sophomore in college and the other is an eighth grader.

“Be flexible,” White said he would tell his 2012 self. “Be open-minded. Look for ways to incorporate learning into all aspects of the lesson. Increase rigor.”

French teacher BEVERLY RANDALL has been at Kingwood Park for 15 years and in that time she said she has become a lot more flexible than she ever thought she could be in terms of what students, administrators and she needs.

“I would say stop doing anything outside of school because all of your time will be spent on school in the future,” Randall said she would tell her 2012 self. “All of your other interests will have to go away.”

English teacher KIMBERLY VILLEGAS was a teacher at Kingwood Park in 2012 and she said since 2012 she has tried to make the things she teaches in class as relevant to real life as possible. She is no longer as focused on nit-picky things.

“You’re not actually busy in your life right now,” Villegas said she would tell her 2012 self. “Three kids later, you’ll understand what busy is. You’re not busy now. Stop complaining.”

FEATURES | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 9

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Defending state wrestling champion Lexi Shannon looks to repeat her title while also earning her pilot’s license.

By Allie Jorgensen

L

exi Shannon stood outside of the plane before her first solo flight. Her dad waited for her to ask the same questions his other flight students always ask.

“Are you sure I’m ready?” they ask him. “Are you sure?”

His daughter was different though.

“Get on the airplane, dad! I’m ready to do this thing!” she told him.

Pat Shannon said his daughter’s drive and confidence sets her apart from other student pilots. He loves teaching her about aviation and seeing her succeed.

That success extends far beyond the airport. The 2021 state wrestling champion is working to defend her title while also earning her private pilot’s license, taking advanced academic classes online and playing cello in the orchestra.

“In all avenues she is very focused, very driven,” her mom Ronda Shannon said. “She’s very disciplined and very obedient to the process.”

A typical day for Lexi is to go to first period wrestling, return home to do schoolwork and then go to the airport for three or four hours of flying. When she gets home at night, she does more schoolwork, club wrestling and maybe relax before bed.

Lexi said her coaches and teachers have been very supportive and flexible with her as far as her assignments and her schedule. Her parents have helped her stay focused on her goals, and pushed her to do her best -- despite being very hands off. They let her decide what she wants to do and when.

“She has a very good work ethic and skills that can take her very far in life,” Ronda Shannon said.

Pat Shannon became a flight instructor in 1989 when he was in his early 20s. However, he dreamed of being a pilot ever since he was 5.

Pat still remembers standing by the mailbox with his mom as she told him he could be anything he wanted

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Pat Shannon stands outside of a Cessna 150 with senior Lexi Shannon. Pat has been training Lexi to earn her private pilot’s license.

Every time they go for a practice flight, they take a selfie inside the plane. Photo submitted by Lexi Shannon.

Lexi Shannon wears her dad Pat’s pilot hat and jacket when she was about 6 years old. Photo submitted by Lexi Shannon.

Lexis Shannon holds the 215-pound UIL State Championship bracket on the medal stand after winning the state title last spring. Photo by Katie Gerbasich.

to be, like the president of the United States. Yet, as a plane flew over their heads, he said, “I wanna fly one of those. I wanna drive one.”

When Lexi started to think about a focus in college and a career, aviation was what she leaned toward. They decided it was a really good career path since she had an opportunity to start in high school, which is something most people don’t have.

With her father as her instructor, flying school was a lot less expensive

to do now.

“She just jumped up on the opportunity,” Pat said.

Teaching family members is sometimes less than ideal. A lot of times it’s easier to teach strangers. Yet, Lexi and Pat were able to focus and work together.

“Lexi is wise beyond her years...

I’m glad I get to spend time with her,” Pat said. “It builds a strong bond between student and instructor in any way to fly, so with her it’s a

SPORTS | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

hundred more times special.”

Lexi has about 50 hours of flying completed and is really close to getting her private’s pilot’s license. She doesn’t want to stop there. She plans on getting her initial rating, then a commercial license and eventually become a certified flight instructor.

Pat said Lexi’s interest in flying came from being around aviation her whole life.

“We have pictures of her when she was a little kid in cockpits and airplanes and with a pilot uniform, in a giant coat and hat, so she’s been around it,” Pat said.

With the amount of time she needed to spend learning how to fly, Lexi chose to do classes online.

“I had to put in a lot of work, not just on the mat but everywhere,” Lexi said, “In school, in my personal life and just how focused I was, and there was work that had to be done everywhere.”

Lexi, who was in-person last year, misses being in class.

“It’s definitely weird because I don’t get to see people very often and I don’t get to be involved in all

the activities that happen in school... it’s just different,” Lexi said. “I love in-person classes better.”

Both of Lexi’s parents agree that if it weren’t for the virtual option in school Lexi would have had to choose between wrestling and flying. They are all very grateful for the virtual option, although it can be hard at times.

“As far as aviation and flying goes, those goals are big and so in order for me to fulfill those goals I had to go virtual,” Lexi said.

Out of all her successes this year, Lexi is most proud of winning the state wrestling title, but she is also proud of keeping balance with everything she’s involved in.

“I have good grades and I’m a really good wrestler, and I love playing the cello and I’m still able to hang out with friends. Just finding that balance was a big accomplishment for me through high school,” Lexi said.

Ronda and Pat have both noticed how Lexi’s made many sacrifices in her decision to be fully virtual this year. She went to one football game, gave up a lot of social activities and has only done a few things with her friends.

“She’s spent most of her time studying,” Pat said, “and she misses a lot of social opportunities which I feel bad for her, but it’s a choice, it’s a sacrifice.”

Both her parents can see Lexi becoming a very successful college student, who will have the ability to tackle any problems she faces, with discipline, dedication and hard work.

Since they know she’s going off to college soon, they are really trying to slow it down, so they can absorb and enjoy every second they can get with her.

“I’m so proud of her and love her to pieces,” Pat said. “I’m really going to be sad when she goes off to college. I’m really going to miss her.”

When Lexi stepped out of the plane after her first flight, she said she felt confident and empowered.

Lexi’s father walked beside her, proud of her success.

“I like aviation because it makes me feel like I can do anything,” Lexi said, “and it’s just a lot of fun.”

Junior Carlie Solomon competes during the team’s final home meet of the season on Jan. 7. She has competed at the state championships as a freshman and a sophomore. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

PUSHING PAST PAIN

Carlie Solomon overcomes injury to set new record, aims for third trip to State Meet

By Morgen Dozier

A

year ago, the pain in Carlie Solomon’s chest was slowly getting worse. Over the course of a few days it became unbearable. The pain landed her in the emergency room and then the hospital. Through all of the tests, Solomon stressed most about her swim season. The district meet was just a few weeks away and if Solomon missed it, she would not be able to return to the State Championships.

“I was upset because it was the end of December and districts were the beginning of January,” said Solomon, the swim team’s only state qualifier in 2020.

Ultimately, Solomon was diagnosed with costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone. It’s a sharp aching in the left side of her breastbone that is able to mimic the pain of a heart attack or heart condition. Solomon also had bursitis. Bursitis is the inflammation of the fluid-filled pads that act as cushions at the joints. Her’s was behind her shoulder making it hard to move her arms which is key for swimming.

As soon as her team heard the news, the swimmers and coaches rallied to support her throughout the season.

“I was a little scared, I was shocked,” teammate Hannah Dove, 10, said. “I don’t think scared is the right word but I was shocked. I could tell the pain that she went through in practice.”

Throughout this experience only one goal was in Solomon’s mind: the District Championships. Districts was fast approaching but healing was slow and the swim team was worried.

“I was very scared because I know many other people

who have shoulder injuries who can no longer swim or can never go back to how they used to be,” teammate Renee Alcala, 11, said. “She was one of our key swimmers throughout that whole season. Just knowing she might not be with us the whole time was hard for me because I’d pace off of her in a lot of practices. She keeps me going.”

When Solomon was cleared to practice again she wanted to get as much yardage in as possible. But being out for so long frustrated her. She said she felt flimsy in the water and could only swim for 10 to 30 minutes before she wore herself out.

“I made sure she wasn’t doing anything she wasn’t supposed to be,” said Dove. “When she didn’t want to get out of the water, but she was hurting I made her get out of the water.”

The support obviously helped since Solomon won 1st place in the 100 yard freestyle at districts. She went on to the Region and State meets for the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Freestyle Relay, ending the season on a high note.

While some discomfort remains, Solomon is doing what she can to push through it.

In November, she swam the 500 yard freestyle for the first time and set a new school record. She broke the previous 5-year old record with a time of 5:17.89.

“I still feel chest pain,” she said. “It’s just very mild, but it will be with me for the rest of my life according to the doctor.”

Coach John Dissinger is proud of the junior’s perseverance.

“It’s always pleasing to see someone overcome obstacles and still be successful,” he said.

SPORTS | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 11

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JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

Soccer teams kick off new seasons The boys soccer team reached the state finals last season and returns this year after graduating 11 seniors. The girls’ soccer team hopes to continue its streak of consecutive trips to the playoffs while returning to the state tournament for first time in three years.

TAG IT

To help keep track of which balls are theirs on the golf course, golfers draw tags on each ball.

“When me and my husband were in college we got in a fight and I drew a stickman on my golf ball for a tournament because I was mad at him. Now that’s how I always mark it.”

Angela Chancellor, coach

Olivia Roach, 11, works to get by a defender in a scrimmage on Dec. 12. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

Defender Tony Sterner, 12, looks for a pass against Kingwood High School on Dec. 17. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

Defender Michael Porras, 12, settles the ball against Kingwood on Dec. 17. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

Defender Eve Hoyt, 10, works to move the ball up the field against Clear Lake. Photo by Alicyn Logue.

Brian Gentry, 9

“It sets a positive mindset for me and I really focus better.

Like when I’m putting, I can set the ball with the cross facing me and I don’t know, I just really focus better.”

Walter Rodee, 11, looks to take the ball against Kingwood on Dec. 17. Photo by Kathleen Ortiz.

Reese Shaw, 10, goes for a ball against Clear Lake.

Photo by Maya Ortiz.

“It’s my initials and that’s how my dad designed it.”

Kendall Kerr, 12

Defender Erin McLain, 10, chases down the ball in a game against Clear Lake on Jan. 7 in the team’s tournament. Photo by Maya Ortiz.

“That’s how my grandpa marks his golf balls.”

Isaiah Brent, 9

SPORTS | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 13

10 things I

learned in FFA Written by Camille Blair.

1

I learned how best to not let steers or a heifer hurt me so much. After my heifer put me in the hospital, I learned to be more cautious. I have been stepped on the foot by my steers more times than I can count.

After about the 10th time, you know how to avoid it.

I learned what hard work really means. It takes a lot of work and responsibility to take care of an animal and after having 3-4 for the last couple years it can be a bit much.

You can’t cut corners because if you’re not going to do something right then you might as well not do it at all.

I learned that when you use a blower to dry your animal off, make sure you hold the hose upright before you turn it on. If you’re testing to see if the blower works, it’s best to make sure the blower is turned off first. The same goes for using a water hose. There may have been a couple of times that I would plug in the blower and the switches were flipped on and the hose started moving/flying around like a weird snake thing. As for the hose, I have been sprayed in the face numerous times from kinks and just turning the water on.

I learned that giving your Ag teacher candy and other desserts goes a long way. Mr. McCarty will accept any kind of candy, dessert or food that you give him. Some of his favorites are the Root Beer bottle caps, chocolate, and the red velvet ice cream from Blue Bell.

3

5 7 9

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I learned that church clothes and barns don’t mix well.

There were a few times that after church we would go work the animals and I would still be wearing the same clothes. I would regret it afterwards because they would just get really gross.

I learned leadership skills and how to be more confident. My confidence in specific has grown. I am finally able to have an actual conversation with someone I don’t know and I’m speaking up more which is really strange for me.

I learned to always double check to make sure that the gate to your animal’s pen is closed or they will get out and mess with everything. The steer I had my sophomore year got loose in the barn one night. The next day there were hoofprints everywhere. Every rake and broom was knocked over. He ate half a bale of hay off of someone’s box and even had cobwebs hanging off of his ears. We don’t know where those came from.

On a separate night while he was eating I didn’t latch his pen but just closed the gate. When he got out, he ran into an empty pen and started jumping/hopping around like he was a little calf again.

OPINION | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM

2 4

I learned that if you give an animal too much hay, they will blow up like a balloon. Lambs don’t know when to stop eating and will even eat until they get sick. It’s called the overeating disease. You have to monitor their intake so they don’t get sick or fat. Steers don’t really do that but if you get one that loves hay (like mine this year), they will fill up on it as well. That doesn’t look good for show, which makes you monitor their intake as well.

6

I learned that when you put your lamb on the rack, you need to be careful or they will try to kill themselves. A rack is the table that you put lambs on that holds their head in place so you can wash them and work their leg wool. When they are on the rack, they don’t really try to kill themselves but they just act really stupid and can hurt themselves pretty bad if you’re not careful.

8

I learned that our family saying -- “another judge, another day” -- applies to more than just the show ring. My family has been showing animals for years. We have had really good shows and really bad ones, even shows with the most surprising results and not in a good way. Whenever we have disappointing results my mom says this and it really just means that you never know what can happen.

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Camille Blair has been in FFA for three years but she has been showing animals since she was in third grade. She is currently raising two lambs, a steer and a heifer

STAFF EDITORIAL

New final exam system needs to stay

C

OVID-19 has made everything a little more relaxed this year -at least at Kingwood Park. Lunches are free, absences are not tied to final exam exemptions, and, just like last year, finals are optional.

And while no one is glad that the pandemic hit, the new finals policy is definitely a positive.

The new finals system was thought up last school year by the district in response to falling grades caused by the pandemic.

Instead of potentially dragging student averages further down with an all-encompassing heavilyweighted summative, the district decided to try something new.

The new policy frames the end-

of-semester exams in a whole new light. It’s an opportunity instead of a hazard waiting to damage a student’s GPA at the very end of the grading period. The new system that Humble ISD mandated calls for an optional summative test instead of a traditional final. This summative, however, can’t affect your grade negatively. The score only replaces your lowest summative of the second nine weeks; and if you don’t score higher than any previous summative, the score is thrown away.

This is a welcome change. Finals season has never been a time that students have looked forward to.

Instead, finals are a task that stu-

dents view as a hump to get over to get to winter break. But now this negative is a positive. Two years ago during the last weeks of a semester, we would have to study the entire curriculum for the upcoming tests, and if we were lucky, we could opt out of a couple of them.

This year the only choice we have to make is whether we want to get our break three days early or stay at school to potentially improve our summative average.

High school is stressful enough without the added pressure of mandatory finals, especially during the holiday season. Let’s hope that this policy lasts for years to come.

More time needed in search for career, goals

A

screenwriter. A psychologist. television. We don’t know how A journalist. An FBI agent. A much money we really need or if park ranger. These are all careers we’d want a job where we’d have that I seriously thought I was to travel. We don’t know what’s going to pursue within the last going to be important to us once six months. My mind we have a family or a changes almost daily, 401k. It’s hard to make my interests fluctuatdecisions as a kid for ing with every person a life that is foreign to I meet or TV show I you. watch. I’m still not sure While knowing your as to where I want to go direction might seem with my life, and judglike a prerequisite for ing from the conversafuture success and haptions I’ve had with piness, it is somehow fellow seniors, I’m far REECE CAVALLO comforting to learn from being alone. that most adults don’t As high schoolers, we’re always even know what they want to do told how important it is to have a yet. In fact, it’s been estimated plan, a direction, but with half of that at least 80% of college stuus not seeing an option that we dents change their major during want to commit to, it’s discouragtheir schooling. And it’s not only ing not to have found the mystericollege students that don’t know ous “passion” that society has told what they want to do. We’re in us is out there. It’s easy to feel like the midst of “The Great Resigyou’re somehow behind the curve nation” right now. Employees as a high schooler that hasn’t throughout America are switching found that special interest, but their careers en masse, as COVID in reality, the teenagers that are disturbances have given workers sure of what they want to pursue a chance to rethink their career are the minority. This is because choices. Some 20% of all Ameriit’s ridiculous to think that a high cans have changed career paths schooler should know what they since the onset of the pandemic, want to do as an adult. Most of us and, according to a Microsoft have very little adult experience; survey, a whopping 46% are curthe majority of our lives so far rently considering a switch. have consisted of tests, sports, and While it’s reassuring to know

that I’m not alone in having a lack of vocational direction, it’s depressing to hear that so much of America is dissatisfied with their job. I’m not going to claim to know the solution to this problem, but billionaire Mark Cuban has some unorthodox but logical advice for people unsure of what they want to do. Cuban advises to disregard the idea of finding some perfect passion, as most people are rarely best at what they’re passionate about. Instead, he advocates for pursuing something you’re naturally good at. The idea is that doing something that you’re gifted at will eventually lead to satisfaction because of the human desire to compete and be dominant. People who excel at what they do tend to be happy with their job because, as Cuban says, it’s fun to be one of the best.

Even if you haven’t found what you’re naturally good at yet, don’t panic; there’s still time for that after high school. The best that we can do now is pick a path that seems appealing and follow it.

As we gain a better understanding of post-high school life and ourselves, we can adjust our directions to get us to where we want to be.

WHAT’S HOT? 2022 Just like Taylor Swift said, we’re feeling ‘22.

Grandpa Sweaters Grandpa fashion is just superior, no questions asked.

Tomdaya We’ve been waiting for Tom Holland and Zendaya to get together since 2016.

Teacher Glenn Taylor’s fist bumps Very comforting, 10/10.

Consistently updated gradebooks We love it when we know our grades (sometimes).

College acceptances That feeling when all the hard work pays off? Unmatched.

Melatonin gummies Eating a little treat before getting good sleep is a blessing.

Jerking Does anyone actually know how to do it though?

WHAT’S NOT? 2021 We really thought nothing would be worse than 2020…

Over posting on your story Put your phone down and just watch the concert.

Omicron Omicron? More like Oh My GOD! J.K. Rowling Someone deactivate her Twitter right now.

Seasonal allergies Every winter? Really?

Chapped lips No amount of lip-licking can save you.

Texas Weather Why is it 80 degrees during the winter?

Asking to borrow someone’s charger Please bring your own, we are begging.

OPINION | JANUARY 2022 | KPTIMES.COM 15